My dog has a favourite song

 Mila, my Staffordshire dog-wonder, is probably the dog with the funniest and most eccentric personality I have ever owned. No wonder I have fallen so in love with this pup of mine. I mean, she’s my child.

Did you know that Mila has a favourite song? Oh yes, she does – Walk of Life by the Dire Straits. When she was still a tiny little puppy a car drove past our house playing this song.

We live on a corner with a stop sign, which meant that the car stood still for a few seconds. Now, Mila was quite a sullen puppy some days, and this particular day she had a particularly sulky moment, as I just put her down on wet grass to do her business.

She was sulking it up big time, ignoring me when I called her and not looking too excited at all. And then this song played. She started wagging her tail and got so excited that her whole body started wiggling. She looked like she was dancing.

Speaking of wet grass, this crazy dog of mine hates getting her paws wet. When she walks on wet grass, or wet paving, it looks like a cat with tape on its paws. But, in the same breath, as soon as I get out of the shower, she’s in it to lick up all the water.

Then wet paws don’t bother her.

This brings me to her drinking habits. We bought our dogs a big red water bowl that we top up with fresh water every day, yet she refuses to drink from this bowl. She’ll drink running water, water from a smaller bowl – that I have to top up when I leave home, and again when I get back home- she’ll lick the water from your body when you get out of a bath or shower, and even drink water from the POOL, but upright refuses to drink water from that big bowl.

She is such a real Miss Priss. 

On Sunday, I noticed a small bump on her paw and took her to the vet yesterday. My worst fears were made a reality when the vet told me that it was a cancerous growth, albeit benign. However, I have to monitor and administer antibiotics for ten days {which are turning my dog into a big lethargic lump}. If the bump has not disappeared or shrunk in the next ten days, it means that it is malignant and that she has to have an operation.

Please keep my pup in your thoughts, she is seriously my baby. Pray that this is absolutely benign and that it goes away.

Owning a border collie {named Mila!}

Hi, I'm Kirsty from Just Another Story  and this is my Border Collie side kick Mila.....

Buying a border collie is like buying a crocodile, there are a crazy amount of "rules and regulations" and every book I read about them came with a WARNING, this of course did not stop me, once I have set my eyes on something, it's done. Signed, sealed, delivered.. I was getting a border collie.

I named this precious creature Mila, also known as Meilie, Mee-losh-la, Me, Milapants and Meilie pap.(The name Meeloshla was made up when i went through a phase of putting dishcloths on her head at picnics.... pronounced with a russian accent of course)

My Mila knows how to sit, stay, lie down, spin in a circle, give paw, play dead, "speak" on command, give kisses, smile, but she does not know what any of this means when out in public, nevermind her own name, and if you are playing soccer in the park when Mila happens to be on a walk you will instantly gain a new player and I will have instantly lost a dog and a leash. I once lost her to a family over a ball and a good kick...

Mila plays basketball and is a BIG fan of anything that is or resembles a stick... skinny legs included. This is a border collie thing, they have OCD and need to do all things a particular way, their way. When Mila does something wrong is is almost impossible to shout at her, its all about her strategy.. she slowly slinks in a zig zag across the floor to my feet, "climbs" up my leg and puts on her best smile, in photos this may look like a growl, but it really is the sweetest thing I have even seen a dog do.

Border collies are like clingy woman, they need attention constantly. Once I was watching a movie on the couch with my boyfriend and there was a table right up against the couch which meant she was blocked from us completely, this frustrated her to the point of barking, eventually she walked off and that was that. About 2 minutes later a flying dog landed right on my head and rolled into my lap...she had done a run up from behind the couch just to get some cuddles! She might very well be the clumsiest creature in the world, second to me of course, this is not a border collie thing at all, this is a MIla thing.

She also has a habit of farting (is that even a blog friendly word?) when she jumps off a high surface, this results in a squeaking noise coming from you know where, for a dog that poops behind a big tree to avoid being seen, this is VERY embarrassing and her face says it all, every time!

I have never loved anything more than I love this beautiful dog. Anyone who has lived with her has given her a special place in their heart, never to be forgotten. While border collies may be categorised as sheep dogs, my Mila is in a category of her own, she is my constant running comedy series and I couldn't ask for a better best friend!

Dogs do the darnest things

 

Yesterday, I read a story on Beeld.com about a Rottweiler that grabbed a teaspoon from her owner’s hand and swallowed it whole. While Google recommended it be flushed out by peroxide, bread and marshmallows, she took the dog to the vet – they found the spoon and a small rubber ball.

People started commenting on the story about the funny things their dogs had swallowed – a dishtowel, charcoal, shaver blades, and a potted plant – along with the pot. I also searched other weird and wonderful things that dogs have chewed and swallowed:

According to this website X-rays have shown that man’s best friend also has a liking for rocks, rubber duckies, an engagement ring and a 15-inch serrated knife! {Check the link for other items that were found! Shocking!}

This made me think of my own pup Mila and the strange things this dog likes to consume. The first – and most popular one – is a coke bottle. Mila has developed a whole routine on how to come by and eat the coke bottle – the remnants of which can be seen a day or two later {think red and brown}.

Firstly, she will bump the coke bottle with her nose – if it doesn’t fall over, or takes a little time to fall over, she knows that there is still coke in it, and will leave the bottle alone. If the bottle is out of her reach though, she will sit and whimper for hours, or at least until the bottle is empty and we give it to her. When she realises that the bottle is empty, after bumping it, the biggest noise known to man ensues.

With raucous flair, this dog of mine will chew the bottle top off – I always try and leave a little bit of coke in the bottle so that she has something sweet as a ‘reward’. When this ritual is done, she and Jethro will start playing tug of war with the bottle, or throw it – yes, it is thrown – down the hallway, which has wooden floors. This usually happens after dinner, when Flip and I are trying to watch a bit of television. Loudest noise ever!

She also has knack for eating juice boxes, my clothes – underwear, jeans, shoes, my freaking NUMBERPLATE!, and well, basically anything that you leave in her reach. Luckily, this has not extended to furniture – but that’s her holy grail, so I don’t think she would even try.

FUN FACT: Did you know that Staffies cannot swim? I always thought it was just Mila, but recently read on a breeder’s site that Staffies in fact have to be taught how to swim. Unlike other dogs, it is the only breed that cannot swim naturally and sinks when you put them in a swimming pool. Even when taught how to swim, they can only do this for short distances before they start to sink again. Crazy isn’t it?

What are some of the weird, wacky and wonderful things your dog/s have chewed or swallowed?

Mila - Staffie Extraordinaire

Mila's absolute favourite place in the house is on top of the couch. She seems to be confused about what type of animal she really is. This is definitely feline behaviour. She lies there every night when we watch tv, sometimes with her head on my shoulder.

But sometimes, she falls in, between the frame of the couch and the big pillows. I once left her there for an entire afternoon.

She wasn't too bothered, just kept on trying to stare out the window. And it wasn't an entire afternoon. I felt sorry for her after twenty minutes and lifted her out. 

Silly puppy. 

She's a bit ill now and has been throwing up almost every day the past week or so. She can't hold her food and when she doesn't eat, she just vomits stomach acid. I'm taking her to the vet on Saturday. Maybe the young lady has been drinking too much swimming pool water.

Sleeping with dogs

When we first got Mila at five weeks old, she was so tiny that she practically slept all day long. She had her weave basket, with its lovely white and light blue nautical feel, she had her grey fluffy teddy as comfort.

It worked, I thought on that very first day. I have successfully trained my little pup to sleep on her own on her first day.

With Flip chiding that dogs are not allowed on the bed or couch (oh please, as if that ever lasted) I was a little wary, but took my chances anyway and on that very first night with Mila I excused myself and Mila to the bedroom, so I can read a book (and she can sleep, cuddled next to me, on the bed.)

Fast forward a few months later, a few events in between, an extra pup and we have quite a funny sleeping ritual. Since it is already quite cold here in good old Johannesburg, I usually cuddle up on the couch when I get home, with a great old blanket.

 In this time, while waiting for Flip to arrive home and after calming the pups from initial “mommy is home” excitement, they both pass out. Jethro normally sneaks under the blankets and I only realise this with a jerk as he presses his freezing cold nose against my body. Mila will either make herself comfy at my feet or on top of me. This is what I like to call their mid-evening nap.

Mila was still quite small here. This is mid-evening nap.

Then Flip gets home. This triggers a flurry of playtime and immense excitement, which carries on for maybe two hours.

Flip has often sighed in disbelief, asking where they find the energy to play like that almost all the time. I believe it’s that mid-evening nap. And by play, I mean Mila and Jethro biting each other, rolling around, jumping on Flip and myself, running like a demon is chasing them and making strange bird-like calls.

The off chance they actually sleep in their own bed.

Eventually, it’s time for bed. Not their time. Flip and my time. We have debated numerous times on where the pups should sleep. He thinks it should be in their bed. I think so too, but eventually I think it should be our bed. Mila normally stays in their bed, but early morning, about 4 o clock, she decides that its time to creep in with mommy. Jethro has probably irritated us enough a few hours before, and is probably already under the covers.

But Mila doesn’t just jump on to the bed. No. Madame starts making these whiney noises so I can wake up, then she puts her front paws on the bed, meaning that I should pick her up. I often wake up in sleep mode and find Mila either nestled between Flip and I, or sleeping in the nape of my neck, with her head in the cavity between my head and

shoulder. She just loves it there, it’s her spot. I let her. I love it too.

Mila's favourite position, sleeping on your neck.

Sleeping with dogs is both therapeutic and tiring at the same time.

Do you allow your dogs to sleep on your bed with you?

Mila found her arch enemy

Or her best friend. Depends on how you look at it.

Now try and get her to take a bath. That's a whole different story.

Mila won't be lonely anymore

We got Mila a little brother today! Introducing Jethro the Jack Russell.

Shame, the poor thing is still so timid and scared and she just keeps on bombarding him, so I couldn't get a decent shot of his face. At first Mila was a real bully, she actually still is, because she still nips and bites him and tackles him and rolls him, but he is quite the feisty little bugger and he started growling and yapping at her, even getting a few bites in for good measure. 

Just when we got a few decent nights' sleep, with Mila being a bit more mature,

now we have to start all over again.

He's just a sweetie face!

Ten things I love about Mila

1. I love how she gets so excited to see me, even if I just went to another room and back, or how she follows me, wherever I go
2. I love how strange and loud noises scar her and that she comes running to stand between my legs, her safehaven.
3. I love how she runs. She lifts her head up and tucks her bum in and tries to run straight, while trying to break the land speed record. She does this while playing, it is so funny!
4. I love how she and I actually have conversations. She will come and sit in front of me and start barking when I say 'hey'. This continues until Flip gets annoyed. The first time I heard her bark was on Saturday, the 28th. *(That's what the calender says the date was).
5. I love how she loves to cuddle and sleep close to me. She will only be this little this long so I am soaking up every minute she can still fit on my lap or sleep on my chest with her pressed against my throat.
6. I love the little jerks and noises she makes when she is sleeping.
7. I love that she wakes me up, even if it is 2 in the morning, because she needs to wee or poo or have a drink of water. All of this is within her range, but she feels the need to wake me up and tell me that she is going to drink water now.
8. I love how I think she is human.
9. I love how she entertains herself with anything she can find. A piece of grass, a toilet roll, a piece of newspaper, a pair of Flip's shoes. They are all her toys.
10. I love that I lover her. I was kinda worried when I go her that I wouldn't like her and what if she turned out to have a really shitty personality? Luckily, I love her quirky personality and I love that she is mine!

The newest addition to the family - Mila Wait van Wyngaardt

That's a mouthful isn't it? Mila Wait van Wyngaardt. Mila, after the ever gorgeous Milas in the world, because my puppy is just the most gorgeous thing on earth. Wait, because that is my surname, and van Wyngaardt, because that is Flip's surname.

My family and I have always been huge fans of Staffordshire terriers, as they are smart and playful and they look fierce with their muscly bodies and big heads, so people tend not to come close to your yard (a prerequisite when living in South Africa). However, I can recommend, with the backing of Wikipedia, that Staffies are the sweetest breed on earth, even when mixed with other breeds. They would rather lick you to death than bite, and they make terrible guard dogs.

Mila is now the sixth Staffie in my family. We first had Bobby, a mix between a Maltese and a Staffie, and then came Liefie, who is a Staffie cross Rottweiler. She was followed, but not outlived, by purebred Jock (yes, as in Jock of the Bushveld, we are South African, we went there). Jock and Liefie made babies and along came Bea and Josh. Twinsies. The smartest dogs I have ever known, thanks to their mom Liefie's terrific smarts. Sadly, they both went to heaven.

Mila over here was born and raised for five weeks about an hours drive from here, and I fetched her on Friday afternoon, as soon as I got off work. I couldn't contain my excitement and I have already met her the week before. But, when I picked her up from the litter, I couldn't decide between her and her sibling, who had white toesies and a little white stripe on her nose.

What a mistake I would have made if I chose the sibling. This little facechild has crept right into my heart and Flip is almost like an overbearing father with her. She is sooo good, she hasn't really cried once since we got her and she has traveled with us, quite far, not moaning once. She just gets into her basket, with her teddy, aptly named Teddy and sleeps. She hasn't pooped or wheepsed in the house yet, but she makes it known that she wants to go, and when she wants to go at two in the morning, she does it on the newspapers we put out for her.  She is already a little genius.

I am simply infatuated with her and cannot believe I waited so long to get a puppy. (I had to, I lived on the Second Floor!)

We are moving to our new house on Tuesday, so she will have all the freedom and sweet grass her little mind can grasp. Don't you just want to eat her up!?